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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Easy Sesame Hamburger Buns

Things will get real mundane if you let them. Stale. Boring. Dull. Blah. It is the cold hard truth and something I fear. This healthy fear of becoming complacent keeps me motivated and mindful.

Marriages fail because of the mundane. The new car smell wears off, bodies age, people stop communicating, people stop trying, people think the grass is greener in other pastures. I am no expert in relationships, my marriage takes work and I know this, we know this. Wanting success and being willing to put effort forth in a marriage is worth its weight in gold. We all must try, try to be better not blah. In my short time here in the "adult" world of marriage I have seen too many partnerships crumble, self-destructing by failure of committing to the long term.

Enough with the serious stuff already - it is summer folks, the easiest time to have fun and be care free.

I am here to spice up your life with countless carbohydrates, cookies and cocktails!

It is time to be happy and mow down countless burgers and beverages.

Jump on board!

The backyard BBQs can get a bit predictable come September, they are still wonderful and fun but don't get the grilling blahs and make the same three things during the precious summer months. Change it up, keep it interesting.

You have made it this far, you know I am far from a skilled baker, I have taught myself to bake and if I can - you can do it! I am not going to convince you to work at your marriage or to get over your fear of yeast but I am going to emphasize that you can't judge until you have tried. Try to be competent. Competence is making something that won't kill you by eating it. You will trip through a minefield of variables, coming out the other side with something close to magnificent. Satisfaction in genuine effort. It does not matter if you make seven loaves a week, have perfected croissants and puff pastry, if you have made a dozen different yeasted recipes and seem to be lucky or just bought your first package of yeast and are willing to get your hands dusty with flour. What matters most are your hands trying and working together in the process.

Easy Sesame Hamburger Buns

Makes 8 buns, depending on size

For best results (a smooth, slightly soft dough), use the smaller amount of water in summer (or in a humid environment), the greater amount in winter (or in a dry climate); and something in between the rest of the time.

3/4 to 1 cup lukewarm water

1 tablespoon instant yeast

2 tablespoons butter, room temperature

1 large egg

3 1/2 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1 egg white

sesame seeds

Buns

*For best results (a smooth, slightly soft dough), use the smaller amount of water in summer (or in a humid environment), the greater amount in winter (or in a dry climate); and something in between the rest of the time.

Topping

1 1/2 ounces melted butter

Directions

Mix warm water and yeast in a large mixing bowl. In a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, slowly incorporate the remaining dough ingredients. Continue mixing dough until the dough is soft and smooth.

Cover the dough, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours, or until it's nearly doubled in bulk.

Gently deflate the dough, and divide it into 8 pieces. At this point I get out the kitchen scale and make sure each of the dough balls are the same size. Shape each piece into a round ball; flatten to about 3" across. Place the buns on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise for about an hour, until noticeably puffy. Thirty minutes into the final rise preheat the oven to 375°F.

Brush the buns with egg white and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden. Remove them from the oven.

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